The best Dutch imports XI of all time

By Mirror Football in Mirror Football Blog

Published 21:34 01/09/10

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Tottenham have secured the surprise deal of the transfer window by snapping up former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart for £8m.

So would the midfield former Ajax star make it into our best XI of Dutch stars to have graced the Premier League?

Goalkeeper: Edwin Van der Saar - Fulham, 2001-05 and Manchester United 2005-present
A dead cert between - seeing as his only other competition came from Raimond Van der Goew. He's Holland's most capped player and has been a rock in the Premier League ever since he arrived at Fulham from Juventus in 2001.

Right-back: Michael Reiziger - Middlesbrough 2004-05
The highly decorated right-back was a revelation in the great Ajax team that won the Champions League in 1995, and had spells at AC Milan and Barcelona before washing up on the sunny shores of Teeside.

Centre-half: Ruud Gullit - Chelsea 1995-98
One of Holland's most famous players. The dreadlocked Dutchman arrived at Stamford Bridge with a string of honors to his name, and was the first of the foreign 'superstars' to grace the Premier League from Serie A. Closely followed by Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, and another Dutch master - Dennis Bergkamp. Won an FA Cup with Chelsea to add to his already bulging trophy cabinet. More at home in midfield, he's having to lump it in defence in our team. Interesting fact:

Centre-half: Jaap Stam
Man-mountain who was twice voted best defender in the Champions League and was the defensive rock around which Alex Ferguson built his Manchester United side, before he upset Fergie with his autobiography and was shipped out to Lazio. Won three Premier League titles and an FA Cup and Champions League in United's treble year in 1999 and is a shoe-in for our team.

Left-back: Winston Bogarde - Chelsea 2001-05
Like Reiziger, Bogarde shot to prominence for his role in the Ajax Champions League side of 95, and like his compatriot, had undistinguished spells at Milan and Barca before ending up at Chelsea where, frankly my dear, he didn't give a damn and famously sat out the duration of his lucrative contract even though there was no a hope of him actually playing a game. Wayne Bridge later followed this example in 2006 - post the signing of Ashley Cole...

Right midfield: Marc Overmars - Arsenal 1997-2000
Yet another member of the Champions League winning Ajax side of 1995, the flying Dutchman (oh come on, you knew it was coming eventually) scored some vital goals for the Gunners in his first season - including a winner against Manchester United, and one in the FA Cup Final - to help the club to the Double. Is on the right for us here, to make room for a winger who found success at a different London club.

Centre midfield: Edgar Davids - Tottenham 2005-07 and Crystal Palace 2010-present
Was perhaps past his best when he spent two years at Tottenham but is one of the all-time greats and has won more silverware with Ajax, Juventus and Inter Milan than you can shake a tulip at. Also brings some much needed steel to our midfield, and wears cool glasses as well. Also

Centre midfield: Dennis Berkgamp - Arsenal 1995-2006
The non-flying Dutchman is playing in the hole for us in this line-up where his deft touch and vision will be at there most effective. One of the best players to ever play in the Premier League he won a host of medals with Ajax and then at Arsenal where played for 11 years before his retirement.
 

Left midfield: Arjen Robben - Chelsea 2004-07
One of the few in our line-up not to have played for Ajax, Robben was often the creative force in Jose Mourinho's title winning Chelsea sides before spells in Europe with Real Madrid and now Bayern Munich. Should provide plenty of ammunition for our forward line.

Centre-forward: Ruud van Nistelrooy - Manchester United 2001-06
The man with the face of a horse and a foot like a traction engine, van Nistelrooy was prolific for United during a five-year spell at Old Trafford, netting 150 goals in 220 appearances, as well as claiming the club's all-time European scoring record with 38 goals.

Centre-forward: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - Leeds United 1997–99, Chelsea 2000–04, Middlesbrough 2004–06, Charlton 2006–07
The smiling assassin, Jimmy scored more than 300 goals in his career and gets in our side for having four Premier League clubs under his belt. Between him and Ruud, our side shouldn't be struggling for goals.

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